Get Interview Ready with IFB

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Let’s be honest, interview style can be a bit drab. Dark unflattering suits, starchy white button-ups, boring shoes. Doesn’t it seem wrong that in order to get the job you’ve been dreaming about, you have to wear the most impossibly bland clothes? We fully believe that, much like your resume, your style should reflect your strengths, confidence, and personality. In fact, how you present yourself to your potential employer can often times be more powerful than what is on paper.

Whether you are pursuing a career in the corporate, fashion, or art and design field, we’re sharing three interview looks of flattering and affordable pieces that will help you feel like the savvy stunner you are.

Corporate:
Radiate your business smarts with a hefty dose of confidence in these business-focused looks. Balance the more structured pieces (classic trousers that compliment the silhouette) with playful components (fanciful earrings, neon belt), and create a look that is composed with an ounce of flair.

Fashion:
Feel cool, calm, and collected by strutting your chic self into an office with an outfit that matches your personality and individuality. Unlike other offices, here your future fashion employer wants to see your stylish flair. Don’t go crazy (leave the ornate and overly glossy for later), but definitely embrace certain trends for a modern, glamorous feel your employer will appreciate.

Creative (arts, journalism, design):
Where business is structured and fashion is glamorous, art is fresh and relaxed. And your interview outfit should reflect this as well. From a design agency to a creative studio, an art interview outfit should reflect your unique edge that shows you are daring and bold, yet not overly flashy.

http://profiles.google.com/fathydrangea Sara B

I work for a public accounting firm, and those outfits would not be deemed acceptable whatsoever for a ‘corporate’ interview at my company! Although they are cute, they would be considered much too loud and informal for an interview. In public accounting and in most finance jobs, it is expected that you wear a business suit to the interview. Although they are not the most exciting things to wear, the last thing you want is your outfit to be the thing that prevents you from getting an offer (unfortunately I’ve seen it happen many times!) I just wanted to throw that out there so no one gets themselves in trouble!

http://www.fiscallychic.com/ Cathy @ Fiscally Chic

Totally agree, Sara B! When I interviewed for my jobs in public accounting I was always in a suit. I also wore a suit when interviewing with my current job in financial reporting at a private company. Sure, I may have worn a pink button down underneath my jacket, but it was always a black suit and pumps. Save the flashier accessories and clothes for when you get the job.
Kay

Agreed! I’m a lawyer, and IME, when you’re interviewing for a corporate job, it’s really time to play it safe. Animal print, neon, etc wouldn’t be appropriate. These looks are cute, but a dark-colored suit is definitely the expected (and safest) choice for a corporate interview.

Kay

I’ll also add that hose are a good idea for a corporate interview, too. I don’t wear them to work on a daily basis but wouldn’t interview without them. The corporate looks are good inspiration for everyday wear in my business casual office.
http://dccl.wordpress.com/ Catherine Ahern

Hi, Kay, Could you elaborate on the “dark-colored suit” advice? I feel pretty confident about making smart choices for work/interview attire, but I was actually thinking about purchasing a lighter-colored suit for an upcoming interview. Is that a big no-no?

I’ve been telecommuting for the past year and a half, but I’ve got an interview at the end of the week in a fairly conservative field (contracting with the Navy), and I don’t want to blow it on something silly. Should I scrap my plan for a medium-gray/taupe colored suit and go with navy blue instead? (I don’t want black, if I can help it…) Thanks!

Kay

Hey Catherine, I would probably go with navy over med gray/taupe (without seeing the exact shade). I’ve interviewed in a black skirt suit and a charcoal grey pinstriped skirt suit (I believe they are the J.Crew super 120s if you want to see online ). If you already have an outfit all planned, I wouldn’t worry too much about it, just keep everything polished and conservative.

This link might be helpful and this site in general has good interviewing advice for professional women (I apologize for linking to another site, but its focus is different than this one and might be helpful in this situation):

http://corporette.com/2008/08/11/reader-mailbag-part-i-what-to-wear-on-interviews-generally/

Good luck!

http://dccl.wordpress.com/ Catherine Ahern

Thanks, Kay! I was hoping to get a taupe-ish suit from the J.Crew Super 120s, but I tried it on last night and felt like I was in between sizes for the jacket. Since the interview is tomorrow, I wouldn’t have time to get it tailored. C’est la vie. I think I’ll just go with a kind of boring, but well-fitting black suit I already own. Thanks so much for your insight!

Kay

I also agree with Tall and Salty below, that in this heat (assuming you’re living somewhere in the heatwave) a lighter-colored suit may be more appropriate. I don’t think I’ve ever interviewed in the middle of summer! But a navy suit would look really polished, just get a lightweight wool

http://www.milk-shed.com/ stef

Agreeing once again. I previously worked in Marketing for a large law firm and even the Marketing group was expected to be in dark conservative suits. At best you could throw on a chunky, slightly fun necklace but absolutely no big/fun earrings, definitely no neon or metallic.

http://rockcurvatude.blogspot.com Curvatude

I agree 100%. I worked in investment accounting for 14 years and I always wore a conservative suit for interviews (as much as they are not my thang).
I also kept my accessories, simple. Small studs or hoops, neutral nail polish, simple pumps, etc

Jamie R

Thanks for posting that! I’m getting ready for my first post college job interview and I was just thinking wow I didn’t know I could dress so casually! I’m glad you checked me before I made a fool of myself. Good to know!

Kate

Sleeveless in corporate is a big no-no! I like the ideas of these outfits, but they just don’t seem as polished as you need to be for a job interview.

http://classylilsassy.com/ Jaime

Yeah I agree, not polished enough.

Sophie

Where are the woven shoes from in Fashion Job 2?
Stafford

I think the creative job’s second outfit is more on point. The first seems a little too casual and hipster-ish for my taste. Most women I’ve seen working in my field (interior design) would wear something more similar to the black-ish ensemble with green pumps Better to be overdressed than underdressed, I always say. Then again, I am still unemployed…

Stafford

Oops! Green flats. I’ve definitely seen some oxfords, too!

http://twitter.com/rglevesque renée levesque

love the first corporate outfit, but i agree that it’s a bit casual for an interview. that said, where are the pieces from??
http://twitter.com/livloveblog livloveblog

i can not get on-board with the jumpsuit for ANY interview. sorry.
Bethany Porter

I’ve interviewed for quite a few fashion and creative jobs in the past (and have interviewed people) and while I love to add creativity to an outfit to stand out (and I love to see others do the same) these outfits are much too casual. The loose, baggy look works for street style but not in any sort of office. Even if you want to look unique, you have to look polished.
Elizabeth

I am a hiring manager at a non-profit, and while our day-to-day dress is business casual, I do expect a conservative outfit on interview day. If you don’t have a suit in this field, a blazer is an absolute must. You can still be stylish–but in a subtle way. That being said, corporate interview #2 would be just fine for an job interview at a business casual workplace. Even #1, swapping cardigan for black blazer, might work.

All in all, these outfits are very cute, but I’ll echo what others have said before me: Save them for when you land the job, not when you’re interviewing for it.
http://www.wonderfulandmarvelous.blogspot.com/ Andrea

Great post! Finding something appropriate to wear for an interview is always such a struggle, but these options are absolutely wearable and chic. Love them.
Mrs Type A

Agree with the other comments. Despite what you see on TV, law is still very conservative. I would never dream of wearing anything other than a suit to an interview. Some law firms and government entities are more casual on a daily basis and you could wear the “corporate” looks after getting the job– but certainly not to the interview.
Anonymous

Have The Everygirls actually interviewed for a corporate job before…?
Adrienne

I love your site, but need to chime in with these other commenters to save the young ladies who want jobs in finance/accounting/law in large companies and might not know better. The first corporate look is not appropriate for an interview in these fields. I can live with the second, but it’s a stretch — and why go to an interview in an outfit that’s a stretch? Your goal in an interview like this is to demonstrate your intelligence and abilities, not your fashion sense. Ladies, downplay your clothing and wow them with your brains and your great interpersonal skills. Good luck out there!
http://jostwrite.blogspot.com/ AdeOla @ JostWrite

I am struggling with how appropriate these outfits are for interviews. The No 2s for the corporate and fashion ones might work, but the rest do not feel appropriate for interviews.
http://beautifullifeandstyle.com/ Erika G

I am also going to completely disagree with the styles suggested. At my engineering company our dress code is business casual, and I would probably wear the “corporate” outfits on a daily basis. They are cute- just not what I would consider business interview ready.

My boyfriend works for a financial company and the girls there are not only required to wear suits on a daily basis, but they also MUST wear stockings and no open toed shoes.

Maybe its a Boston thing, but I guess the key is knowing and researching the company before you show up. I can only imagine how devastating it would be to lose a job solely based on the fact that you wanted to look cute for the interview!
http://dccl.wordpress.com/ Catherine Ahern

I won’t restate what’s been said, but I’m so glad that many TEG readers have already pointed out that the corporate suggestions are really risky for an interview. I’ve been writing about business for the past year and half, and I’m regularly shocked and appalled at some of the fashion advice given to young women entering the working world. (To clarify, this article neither shocks nor appalls me, but I agree with others that the level or formality expected in many interviews just isn’t there.) Just today I got an email from ASOS with a promotion for “9-5 outfit ideas” that was absolutely ridiculous. (You can check out the suggested “work” outfits here:
http://us.asos.com/Work-It-ASOS/yho8a/?cid=16039.) Sure, many of the pieces are cute, but they’re a terrible idea if you want to a. get hired, b. be taken seriously or c. keep your job.

An interview isn’t the time to take fashion risks. Actually, I’d avoid them for at least the first month of a new job, until you have a clear understanding of what’s appropriate in your particular office.
instantphoebe

I completely agree with what many previous commenters have said. I will also add that, as someone who works in a creative industry, I can’t say that I approve of the outfit suggestions for the “Creative Job” either. Sure, you probably don’t want to wear a suit to the interview, but you still should look polished. The first outfit is too schlumpy and the second looks too much like you’re wearing denim.

I’d stick with a skirt + blouse combo, but feel free to wear something patterned or A-line or silk or a statement necklace (but not statement earrings). I’d keep bracelets and rings to a minimum, though.
http://twitter.com/SuchGoodStyle Such Good Style

Awesome outfits! I absolutely love them!!!!! Your blog is so amazing, I check every day!!! xoxo

suchgoodstyle.blogspot.com
Tall and Salty

I have to concur with the legal/finance/accounting-world ladies: these outfits are cute, but they aren’t interview-appropriate for a conservative corporate job. I’m a lawyer, and if someone showed up for an interview wearing anything other than a suit, she probably wouldn’t be taken seriously. (It’s the grown-up equivalent of showing up for a sports team tryout in jean shorts and Keds.) Wearing a suit can feel so uncomfortable because women’s suits are generally unflattering, but showing up for an interview in an outfit that says ”I don’t belong here” is worse. The trick is finding a classic suit that’s tailored to fit you perfectly so that you still feel like a woman (but not too tight or too short!), and adding some pretty but simple jewelry.

As to the question below about lighter-colored suits: in the heat of summertime, that’s probably fine, but for an interview in a conservative field, you can’t go wrong with a perfectly cut black, navy, or gray suit.
Cate

Just to say something completely different to what others are saying here…I work in a creative field (in London) and have seen colleagues laugh at people who come in to interviews in suits or other businesswear (they’ll call them knobs and write them off). The creative field outfits pictured above are actually slightly too formal for where I work… People show up in jeans most days of winter and shorts or summer dresses when it’s warm out. So I think the key with anything is research, research, research as much as possible for your interview! Before I interviewed with my current company, I was planning to wear a suit or a nice skirt and button down blouse, but then I did some research on the company (on their website and Facebook page) and saw that everyone was EXTREMELY casual in their dress. If you can find some pictures of the company online, you might get an idea of how they dress.
Charu S.

These looks are great!! I have a question about the jumpsuit look – where is the ring (looks like a skeleton key) from? It is adorable! Thank you!
http://classylilsassy.com/ Jaime

Sorry- I’m just not into the jumpsuit- first thing that comes to mind is that she is wearing her pj’s to an interview,and the first choice way to flashy, unless your interviewing in Vegas. The only option I would go with is the tailored dress.
http://withanna.wordpress.com/ Anna

I love the second fashion outfit and the second one for the creative outfit as well. I do however agree that for some of the jobs that I`d apply for these looks would definitely not be appropriate. Those would be the places where you will wear a black pencil skirt and white crisp blouse, etc. I´d love to hear some tips on how to add that little extra to work outfits for jobs that are rather strict in their rules. Maybe you girls have some ideas?
Evonne R

The only way you can get away with wearing the following above. Is if you own your own business. Working for a company, you have to know who you are working for and what are ‘their’ dressing guide lines! Interesting, I will be teaching a fashion seminar and I will be showing what to wear for work and still look trendy.
imadime

i work in creat
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=506972949 Beth Denton

Just to echo and reinforce what other people have said, I would not consider the corporate (or really very few) of the the outfits interview appropriate.
In the past I wore something very similar to corporate outfit one to a co-op interview. As it was through school they had feedback forms. Appearance was the lowest rating I received.Lesson learned luckily, but always go way way way conservative for corporate jobs.
Dee

It would be nice if this article told you who these bloggers were exactly…

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